Dearborn River: Last Call
We were just about call an end to the Dearborn River Float season, but thanks to Mother Nature, the Dearborn just got a shot in the arm. Heavy rains in Central Montana have pushed the river up to the 400cfs…
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Silly Sunday Scenery
Silly Sunday Scenery Dearborn falling to 318cfs today. We are nearing the end of flatablilty. Maybe the remainder of the week though. Look us up for flies, shuttles, and info! Tomorrow is Monday. PMD’s will be on the menu.
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Headhunters Fly Shop Open Monday April 27
Headhunters Fly Shop Open Monday Montana State Governor Steve Bullock spoke at noon today about the opening of Montana Shelter in Place is lifted Sunday in Montana. The Stay at Home order will be lifted for Montana residents. 14 Day…
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The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20
The very latest happenings Craig Montana 4.20.20 Sunday was awful nice in Craig Montana. Nearly 60, light winds, with a ton of Montanans dragging their outdoor summer toys with vigor through our recently quiet fishing ‘burb. Here are the facts…
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Craig Caddis Fest Cancelled
Craig Caddis Fest Cancelled Another cancellation on the list this year includes the Craig Caddis Festival slated for the 16th, third Saturday in May. This annual event, the 15th annual, may be re-scheduled for August. Still thinking about that and…
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OPST Commando Smooth Sale!
The new-ish OPST Commando Smooth is on sale at 25% off starting today. Most spey anglers are familiar with the OPST Commando Head. It’s the head that started all of this “micro-skagit” stuff, and is the most popular single-handed spey…
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Trout Spey Outlook
We’re still in Trout Spey season on the Missouri, and the swing bite remains good. As the weather and river slowly warm, the fish continue to get more active. The Rainbow trout are spawning right now in good numbers. It’s…
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Fishing is Open. But not much else.
We are getting a boatload of questions regarding fishing, guiding and fly shop operations under the Statewide “Stay at Home” order that went into effect early Saturday morning. Bottom line: you can go fishing, but you will be “unsupported”. No…
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Last Call!
This afternoon Gov. Steve Bullock announced a Statewide “Stay at Home” order, similar to orders currently issued in many other states that order all non-essential business’ closed. We’ve been running a spartan operation all week, and this order shuts us…
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Cabins & Shuttles & Rental Boats… No Go.
Unfortunately, we have decided to close down our lodging at the Craig Trout Camp here at Headhunters. This closure will run from now until April 1, at which point we will re-assess. We made this decision after discussing it over…
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Craiglandia Phone Troubles. Standard.
We became aware today that some customers have had trouble getting through to us on the phone the last couple of days. Phone troubles are standard in Craig. Tin cans and string are more reliable. At any rate, we have…
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Zirdle Bug Olive St Pat’s Day!
Zirdle Bug Olive St Pat’s Day! A green fly for today. Tie them up if you nymph the big fly like the Zirdle Bug. Buy them up if you just want to watch re-runs or are glued to the TV.…
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E-Newsletter to Return!
A few years ago I quit sending out our E-Newsletter via email. Many of our customers liked it, and I received your emails requesting that we continue it. But I personally get tired of constant email communication in my inbox,…
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Two-hander Report
Darn good swing fishing for early March on the Missouri, and more than a few spey anglers out searching. At least when the weather is nice. The water is still chilly, and you’ll find fish in the deep slow tanks…
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February Blues and a Couple High Points
February Blues and a Couple High Points February pretty much sucks. Historically average fishing, that means for the winter months. Not comparing the February fishing to the summer months, but comparing it to the winter months. And average is just…
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TBT Squeeky’s 1st Fly Shop Gig
TBT Squeeky’s 1st Fly Shop Gig This was my first fly shop gig. My first fly fishing mentor Pat Ward opened this little shop, even a bit smaller than HH, in Gold Creek on the Naches River. The Naches is…
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Where Do Your Flies Live?
Another installment from Richard today on this very blog. The wildly popular Dick Magill. Angler series speaks of fly boxes, winter, and the tying bench today. Enjoy. Happy Hump Day. Book your spring trip. Discounts galore! Where Do Your Flies…
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Fly Fishing Film Tour in Helena Tuesday Nite February 11th!
Fly Fishing Film Tour in Helena Tuesday Nite February 11th Helena, MT 2020 Fly Fishing Film Tour Grandstreet Theatre Feb 11, 2020 at 7:00 PM (MST) Helena, Montana The Pat Barnes Missouri River chapter of Trout Unlimited is proud to bring…
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Fail Safe Headhunters Gift Card
Fail Safe Headhunters Gift Card Still looking for that fly fishing gift? Want to make the right decision for the angler in your life? Want to get him or her something they will love? From a small business, with personality,…
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Strong Trout Spey – Finally
So we’ve now had a week straight of solid swing fishing And the river seems to have stabilized. It’s still high for this time of year at 4600cfs, but it has stayed there for the last several days. Water temps…
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#Giving Tuesday UMOWA
#Giving Tuesday UMOWA Upper Missouri River Watershed Alliance, UMOWA, would like a few bucks from you today. Why not throw a few casts at the organization that watches the Missouri River and has improved bank lines, brought about awareness of…
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Sunday Scenery Sunset Spey
The longest lasting and most incredible sunset I’ve witnessed in a long time occurred the other night. Mike, James and I had a hard time concentrating on fishing. The swing bite had been fantastic all day, until this last run.…
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OPST Micro Skagit Rods
We’ve just received a handful of the new OPST Micro Skagit rods designed by Skagit legend Ed Ward. We’ve been excited to see these long-awaited rods, and feel fortunate to have gotten in on the initial small run, which was…
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Trout Spey Camp Roundup
above: Whitney Gould offers some tips to one of the casting competition competitors. WHAT A CRAZY WEEK! Somehow, we managed to set up for, hold, and clean up after a 3+ day event at the shop and get to Denver…
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Headhunters has Guides
Headhunters has Guides Shane Wilson above laughing with his guests Tuesday, Need a fly fishing guide on the Missouri River Montana? Headhunters has guides. A bundle of full time ones. Available all the way thru Christmas. And beyond. Call today…
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Trout Spey Gear Roundup 2019-20
It’s time for our annual Trout Spey Gear Roundup as “Swing Season” approaches. A month from today we will be getting after it pretty hard (some of us are now), and in two months we wont be doing much else.…
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Do You Use a Streamer Specific Line?
Cuz you don’t have to. But most hardcore streamer anglers I know not only have a streamer specific line, but a whole outfit. Generally a 6 or 7 weight, and occasianally an 8. If they wade fish a lot with…
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Weekend Update
The “back-to-school” lull is in full swing, and it’s pretty quiet in Craiglandia these days. Which is nice. The guides are recovering from weeks of sun stroke, and our shop staff is fishing more and harder than they usually do.…
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Life Aquatic
I spent a day with my friend Pat Clayton helping him shoot some underwater trout images. By helping, I mean sitting on the bank and watching him slip into the icy mountain water to take photos. Occasionally I take a…
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Headhunter Fly Line Update
We’ve now had several weeks to fish hard with our new Headhunter Fly Line, as well as receive feedback from the many customers who have purchased one. Generally speaking, it has been fantastic, the feedback has been incredibly positive, and…
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All good in this fishy neighborhood
All good in this fishy neighborhood Thursday today. The Headhunters Dry Fly School is picking off tonight and we could not have planned for better timing than we did. Did we know that the 2019 summer would bring strong dry…
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Thursday Fishing Report from the Gang @ Headhunters of Craig
Thursday Fishing Report from the Gang @ Headhunters of Craig Great weekend ahead of us here in downtown Craig Montana on the banks of the Missouri River. Sunshine, and warmer temps. That is what we are praying for here! A…
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Clean Drain Dry Protect our Montana Waters
Clean Drain Dry Protect our Montana Waters Clean. Drain. Dry. Do it every time. Guides, outfitters, and rec boaters must do this daily. Then and only then can you stop the rapid destruction of your, yes your waters. That means…
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Spot Open for Sat. McCune|Gould Spey Clinic!
We just had a last minute cancel for this Saturday’s 101 Spey Clinic with legendary two-handed casters Mike McCune and Whitney Gould. This all day clinic is perfect for those who are looking to get in to the sport, or…
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Saving Grayling Vid
Saving Grayling Vid A cool mid-week vid from the Centennial Valley near the boarder in Montana. Squeeky’s dad spent 3 summers working on this project. Enjoyed it. Said that everyone should take the drive into this stunning place. And yes,…
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Fisheye Guy Gallery in Philipsburg
Our good friend and photography guru Pat Clayton (Fish Eye Guy Photography) finally pulled up stakes in Bozeangleles and landed a couple hours west in the less busy Ski/Fish Mecca of Philipsburg Montana. Lots of folks in our neck of…
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Slow Stuff Fishing Report
Asked Ninch what kind of fishing feedback he heard in the shop over the weekend… And I quote, “ Dudes that think they’re going to roll through ‘summer water’ and wreck ‘em are complaining about tough fishing. Dudes that are…
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Soul Sunday Marvin Gaye What’s Going On
Soul Sunday Marvin Gaye What’s Going On Could listen to this Marvin Gaye song over and over. Great message. Social commentary, not social media, from Marvin Gaye that still holds water. Soul Sunday here on the Headhunters Blog. Cool and…
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UMOWA Event Tuesday Nite Windbag Saloon Helena MT
UMOWA Event Tuesday Nite Windbag Saloon Helena MT See you in Helena for the Annual Windbag Upper Missouri Watershed Alliance Fundraiser with Rob and Halliday Quist 5pm til? Come on down and celebrate winter, the Missouri River, and live music.…
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March 1st, more snow, weekend update
March 1st, more snow, weekend update 5 weeks of reasonably cold weather here in Craig along with February snow has kept us on our toes this past month. Actually it has kept us in wool socks and knee high boots.…
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Big Winter Storm in Craig Montana
Big Winter Storm in Craig Montana About a foot of snow predicted for the Craig area in the next 3 days. Nice. Lots more water for the summer. Shoveling out the driveway, the garage, the drift boats, the road. Not…
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Gilman Grips Review
Gilman Grips Review We met Jeff Gilman this last fall. He brought over some demo oars coupled with his Gilman Grips. An exciting new grip. Yes, not much development in the oar grip arena the past 100 years. While we…
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February 8th Weekend Headhunters Hours of Operation
February 8th Weekend Headhunters Hours of Operation Beware. Fish at your own risk. Air temperatures well below zero this weekend. Headhunters Fly Shop most likely closed. We may be at the shop for a bit on Saturday and Sunday but…
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Office Xmas Party Sunday – Closed in the Afternoon
Headhunters will be celebrating the Holidays with our staff tomorrow afternoon, Sunday Dec. 16, at our annual Office Party in an undisclosed location. We will be open in the morning until around 12 noon, so if you need a shuttle…
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Weekend Update: Swing Report
Fishing reports vary from good to great right now. Remember, it’s all relative in December. To most, a pleasant winter day on the river that brings 6-10 nice fish to the net is “great”. To others that’s just “good”. Either…
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Weekend Tip: Keep Those Hands Down
Look at this picture and let it burn into your memory banks. For you spey junkies planning on hitting then river this weekend, here’s a tip. In fact it’s THE tip. This is without a doubt the #1 mistake that…
Read MoreVeterans Day 2018
Veterans Day 2018 We at Headhunters honor all that have served. Thank you. We support the Americans who serve.
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2FER Tuesday SnowShoe Midge BOGO!
2FER Tuesday SnowShoe Midge BOGO! Headhunters Fly Shop weekly Online Buy One Get One Free give those flies away sale will be live at Midnight September 18th! 2FER Tuesday SnowShoe Midge BOGO! All day long Tuesday September 18th you can buy one…
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Hopper Time on the Mo!
Hopper Time on the Mo! Denny with this nice Brown Trout caught blond fishing Wednesday morning. Then we tossed tiny dries at Trico fish for 3 hours. Then hopper fished all the way home. A nice time to be on…
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One Strong Dry Fly Suggestion…
One Strong Dry Fly Suggestion… You gotta cast at the trout. You gotta. Well, only if you wanna catch ’em. #1 reason more folks don’t catch dry fly fish on the Missouri River? The angler is afraid to cast at…
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Sunday Silly Brown Trout Scenery
Sunday Silly Brown Trout Scenery Fished out fo town this last week. Big Hole. Fun times. Cool place. Fished size 20 Trico’s. Thought I would head over to the freestone side with big fluffy flies. Turns out the Big Hole…
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10 Wednesday Thoughts from Squeeky’s Vapid Head
10 Wednesday Thoughts from Squeeky’s Vapid Head Pretty empty up there. As you may know one of my favorite Dead lyrics is…Thinking a lot about less and less. Truth right now as we move into the latter throws of July. Parked…
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Missouri River Sunday Fishing Report
Missouri River Sunday Fishing Report Missouri River Sunday Fishing Report brought to you once again by Headhunters Fly Shop in Craig Montana. Lots of anglers stop in stating that they read the blog and fishing report daily. We love to…
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The 5 Don’ts of Dry Fly Fishing
The 5 Don’ts of Dry Fly Fishing We speak often about the ways to catch fish. Today we speak briefly about the way you can assure that you do not catch as many dry fly fish. The number one way…
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